Traction bunion corrector



Nov. 13, 1962 M. R. LEVITT 3,063,446

TRACTION BUNION CORRECTOR Filed Jan. 20, 1960 Mental" Mi/fan I? L ew'r'f 3,063,446 TRACTION BUNIQN CGRRECTQR Milton R. Levitt, New Brunswick, Ni, assignor to The Schoil Mfg. (10., Inc, (Ihicago, EL, a corporation of New York Fiied Jan. 26, 1969, Ser. N 3,594 3 Ciaims. {CL 12881) This invention relates to improvements in a traction bunion corrector, and more particularly to a relatively soft traction splint highly desirable for straightening crooked toes by way of a definite traction action while at the same time giving a cushioning effect to relieve pressure over sensitive areas, the device having corrective value in cases of bunions, hallux valgus, crooked toes, and misalignment, contraction or bending in of toes due to muscular or bony disturbances, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of devices have been provided for the purpose of endeavoring to correct toe deformities of the character above mentioned. However, most of these devices have proven objectionable in that one form of device would be worn in the daytime, while a bunion spring or the like embodying metallic parts would be worn at night, the latter not being capable of daytime use in the customary shoes of the patient, but requiring a special oversized shoe to accommodate them. Other devices utilized with bunio-ns and the like were merely pressure eliminators, but were incapable of providing any straightening or correction of the crooked toe or deformity. Frequently these formerly known devices required very accurate fitting and it was extremely difficult for a patient to put them on and remove them without expert aid.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a traction corrector for straightening crooked toes and the like which can readily be applied by the patient himself in a satisfactory manner, and worn with equal comfort day or night, day time wear being within a shoe of the proper shape and customary size.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a traction corrector for crooked toes and similar deformities and afflictions, which is soft and elastic throughout giving a pressure relieving cushioning effect to the foot, providing separator means for disposition between the afflicted toe and an adjacent toe, and which also provides traction longitudinally of the foot to urge a toe to a straight position.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simple and economical but highly effective traction corrector for crooked toes and similar deformities, which embodies no relatively stiff portions, but is of soft cushioning elastic material, readily applied, and substantially invisible when a stocking is used thereover.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a traction splint for straightening crooked toes and correcting similar ailments, which comprises merely a longitudinally stretchable cushioning strip having a toe loop at one end, and carrying cooperative fastening means whereby the strip may extend around the heel, over the instep of the foot, and be secured to itself at the side of the foot, under tension.

It is still a further feature of this invention to provide a corrective device of the character set forth herein which is extremely light in weight and which may also be laundered whenever desired Without adversely affecting the efiicacy of the device.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been tates Patent above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corrective appliance embodying principles of the instant invention, showing the same in operative position on a human foot;

FIGURE 2 is a side or elevational view of the device itself; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through the toe loop of the device taken substantially as indicated by the line III-III of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As shown on the drawings:

While the instant invention may be applied to the foot in a number of ways, and associated with virtually any toe of the foot, in FIGURE 1 I have illustrated the device on a foot 1 in position to provide corrective aid in a case of hallux valgus of the great toe 2.

The device itself consists of a longitudinally stretchable cushioning strip, generally indicated by numeral 3. The strip 3 is preferably laminated, comprising an outer fabric lamination d and an inner and thicker lamination 5 of foam cushioning material or equivalent substance. The fabric lamination 4 may be woven or knitted to provide for longitudinal stretch and recovery therefrom, and this fabric may utilize rubber yarn or not, as may be desired, since twisted yarn woven under extremely light tension is also satisfactory. The inner cushioning lamination 5 may satisfactorily be foam latex, or stretchable polyvinyl or polyurethane foam are also satisfactory. Preferably, the fabric will stretch less than the foam so overtension cannot be applied to the foam cushioning material and thus cause disruption. Where the cushioning lamination is foam latex, it is preferably cured directly to the fabric lamination, and if it is of some other material, it may satisfactorily be connected to the fabric lamination by means of an elastic cementitious material.

At one end thereof, the strip 3 is widened laterally and this portion is rolled into a toe loop 6, preferably with marginal portions of both laminations overlapping as indicated at 7 in FIGURE 3 to provide a region of double thickness on the inner side of the loop. The fabric lamination may be extended on one side as indicated at 8, if desired, and cementitiously secured to the underlying fabn'c surface in order to provide a smooth appearance.

Any suitable form of cooperative fastening elements may be utilized to secure the device in position, such as hooks and eyes, nylon burr material, snap fasteners, buttons, buckles, and the like. By way of example, I have herein illustrated the use of complemental snap fasteners, one element 9 being secured to the strip adjacent the end thereof opposite the loop, while the complemental other element 10 is attached to the strip in an intermediate location to the rear of the toe loop 6, as seen best in FIG- URE 2. As seen also in FIGURE 2, the fastening element 9 has its operative side to the inside of the strip 3, while the fastening element 10 has its operative side to the outside of the strip.

In use, the instant invention is extremely simple and highly effective over a reasonable period of time. It is simply necessary to draw the toe loop 6 over the crooked toe, in the illustrated instance this being the great toe 2 of the foot 1. The overlapping marginal portions 7 of the loop provide an extra thickness between the toe undergoing treatment and the adjacent toe so as to aid in establishing separation between these toes of a gentle yet effec- 0 be understood that traction is exerted on the afflicted toe in a direction longitudinally of the foot, tending to further straighten the toe, and cause it to assume its proper position. At the same time, the device cusln'ons the foot and relieves pressure by virtue of its softness and resiliency over tender and sensitive areas, thereby diminishing pain. The device may be worn freely and easily at night, and also worn during the daytime in a properly shaped shoe of the customary size of the particular patient. The device may be made of any desirable color, and is preferably of a flesh tint so as to be substantially invisible through a stocking. It should also be noted that the device may be laundered any time desired with no deleterious effects to its properties. Further, the device is simple in construction, simple to apply or remove, possesses great durability, and may be economically manufactured.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A traction type foot corrective appliance comprising a longitudinally stretchable backing strip, stretchable foam cushioning material of equal area and laminated to the inside face of said strip, an integral toe loop at one end of said strip with the axis of the loop paralleling the axis of the strip, and cooperative fastening elements carried one at the other end of the strip on the inner face thereof and one on the outer face of the strip to the rear of said toe loop, to positively hold the appliance under tension on a foot with only a single lap of the strip around the foot.

'2; A traction type foot correction appliance comprising a longitudinally stretchable cushioning strip of uniform thickness throughout, a laterally widened portion on one end of said strip shaped into a toe loop with its axis paralleling the axis of the strip, andlcooperative fastening elements carried by said strip one at the other end thereof and one at the intermediate location to the rear of said toe loop, said toe loop having overlapping marginal portions on the inner side thereof to increase the thickness and establish separation between adjacent toes of the foot.

3. A traction type foot correction appliance comprising an elongated strip formed of a longitudinally stretchable backing and a piece of thicker stretchable cushioning material of equal area laminated to said backing, a widened portion at one end of said strip shaped into a toe loop disposed at one side of the strip, the margins of said widened portion overlapping to provide a line of double thickness in said loop opposite said strip to provide positive s'eparation of adjacent toes, and means to maintain said strip under tension on the foot of a user.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 804,406 Hungad Nov. 14, 1905 2,811,154 Scholl Oct. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 241,733 Great Britain Oct. 29, 1925 OTHER REFERENCES Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Jan. 1941, p. 183 relied on. (Copy in Division 55.) 

